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Democrats Thompson, Huffman heading to easy Congress wins
Published: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 11:34 p.m.
Democratic Assemblyman Jared Huffman of San Rafael claimed a new job in Congress on Tuesday, winning the race to replace Rep. Lynn Woolsey on Capitol Hill by a wide margin.
Facts
Huffman: Better at reeling in votes?
Assemblyman Jared Huffman of San Rafael racked up a big win at the polls on Tuesday, winning a seat in Congress with about 70 percent of the vote from Marin County to the Oregon border.
But there was one that got away from the 48-year-old lawmaker, who was termed out of the Assembly after six years.
Election Day started early for Huffman, as it does for most politicians, but his first foray was a bit unusual: a fishing trip out of Bodega Harbor.
Huffman said it was appropriate to return to the place where he taped the video that launched his campaign for the North Coast congressional seat. His fishing for votes turned out great.
On the Pacific Ocean early Tuesday, he caught some rockfish and an eel that was a bit difficult to pull off the line.
But ling cod, the prized game fish, eluded him.
“It didn't happen,” Huffman said.
Huffman, 48, who termed out of the state Legislature after six years, had 69 percent of the vote with 30 percent of precincts reporting.
Republican Dan Roberts, a Tiburon securities broker, had 31 percent.
Woolsey's retirement after 20 years in Congress prompted Huffman's campaign, which raised $1.24 million and amassed more than 800 endorsements.
“I am looking forward to representing this incredible coastal district in Congress,” he said. “I couldn't be happier.”
Huffman attributed his success to a “100 percent positive” campaign and support from people he has represented in the Assembly.
“They knew me; I knew them,” he said.
The 2nd Congressional District stretches from Marin County to the Oregon border, excluding Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati and Sonoma Valley.
Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, claimed his eighth term in Congress with a 73 percent to 27 percent advantage over Republican Randy Loftin with 57¬percent of precincts reporting.
“I'm very humbled by the support of the voters,” said Thompson, 61, who has never lost an election.
Thompson acknowledged that Democrats fell short of taking back control of the House, calling it “a very steep climb” to gain 25 seats.
Thompson ran in the new 5th District that includes Santa Rosa, all of Napa County and parts of Lake, Solano and Contra Costa counties.
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